FAQ

We’re setting sail on June 1st, 2024.

Nestled on the North Saskatchewan River in the heart of Edmonton, the Edmonton Riverboat has been delighting locals and visitors alike since it first set sail in 1995. With its iconic presence and stunning views of the city skyline, it has become one of Edmonton’s most recognizable landmarks and a must-see attraction.

The cruise is approximately 60-90 minutes long, and the route may vary depending on the water levels.

Please note that our sailing route may be altered due to unpredictable and rapidly fluctuating North Saskatchewan water levels. We strive to provide the best possible sailing experience.

Our events are held rain or shine except for circumstances such as low water levels. We will sail through thunderstorms and high winds as it does not impact the boat. All decisions regarding our ability to sail are made by the ship’s Captain. 

If we need to cancel a cruise, we will post updates on our website and social media with as much notice as possible.

Our policy states that our tickets are final sale.

If you can no longer make your scheduled cruise, we can:

  • Refund the ticket in the form of a gift certificate. This can be used for the purchase of a future cruise. Please note that we can’t accept gift certificates as a form of payment for onboard purchases such as drinks or burgers. 
  • Reschedule the tickets for another date. Please contact us and we can transfer your tickets to a different cruise for you.
  • Pass the tickets on to someone else via email. You’re welcome to forward the tickets on to a friend or someone else who can make the cruise in your place. The tickets do not to be transferred to a different name! They just need to have the original tickets when boarding

Please get in touch with us if you need to reschedule your cruise. 

If the cruise is shortened or altered due to low river water levels, we will refund the cruise ticket in the form of a gift certificate or rebook the cruise, depending on the customer’s preference. Those with buffet tickets will still be able to enjoy their meal, so that would not get refunded. Please note that the cruise would still occur and you will still have the same amount of time on board. 

If the Captain cancels the event entirely, we will refund the entire ticket in the form of a gift certificate or rebook the cruise, depending on the customer’s preference.

You don’t need to reserve a table for any of our cruises. Tables are first come first served. We have tables available on the outside deck and inside the dining room.

However, we offer a Reserved Table for 2 package, which includes a beautifully decorated table and a bottled beverage of your choice. This is an excellent option for a special date night or to make your cruise even more memorable. Purchasing this package can be done at the same time as buying your cruise tickets for an additional cost. If you’d like to purchase a Reserved Table for 2 package for more than two people, you’ll need to book additional packages and we can arrange the tables to be together for your group.

Yes! If you show your Access2 Card at the dock, you will get free entry for your support person or aide for any of our cruises. You don’t need to pre-purchase a ticket for your support person. Please note that any support person entering using an Access2 card will not have access to the buffet.

We offer tickets for our events online, but please be aware that our events do sell out quickly. You may also visit the “Contact” page to get in touch with us.

To ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about our events, please check our online ticketing system for the latest schedule and availability.

We offer several ticket pricing options to accommodate a range of ages and needs.

  • Adult ticket pricing applies to ages 14+
  • Child ticket pricing applies to ages 3-13
  • Senior ticket pricing applies to ages 60+
  • Infants and children under 2 years of age are free.

You can purchase tickets in bulk! Simply go to the Tickets page, select the cruise your group wishes to attend, and enter the number of tickets you need.

But since there are no assigned tables or seats, you don’t need to purchase all your tickets at once to ensure everyone is on the same cruise. Just inform your group about the specific cruise they should book tickets for. As long as there are tickets available, everyone can buy theirs separately.

If you’d like to reserve a table for your group, write us a comment in the “Anything we should know?” section when purchasing your tickets and we’ll try our best to accommodate!

Gift certificates are available for purchase and can be used for any cruise. We offer denominations of $25, $100, $150, and $200, and they will be sent to the recipient via email in electronic form. 

Yes – we are honouring older gift certificates and vouchers. Please reach out to us on the “Contact” page if you need a hand with redeeming them. 

Please note that we are not able to honor gift certificates or Groupons issued before 2018.

Yes – private rentals for special occasions or events are available, starting at approximately $5500 plus a minimum spend on food and beverages. See our “Private Booking Request” page for more details.

For private events, you’re more than welcome to bring decorations on board. Please let us know what you’re thinking of when booking the event. 

Limited parking for the Edmonton Riverboat is available at Rafters Landing. However, please keep in mind that parking at our location is also open to the general public and can fill up quickly.

For additional parking options, Henrietta Muir Edwards Park is available just east of Rafters Landing, near the new LRT bridge. Also, there is street parking available along 96A Street and 98A Ave, north of 98 Ave. There is the Muttart Conservatory parking lot south of 98 Ave on 96A St, however please note that you must register your vehicle to park there. For more detailed directions, please see below.

As a courtesy to our community, please observe all bylaws when parking at any location. Please be aware that parking on grassy areas at Rafters’ Landing may result in a parking ticket that Edmonton Riverboat will not be responsible for. 

To avoid any inconvenience, we strongly encourage you to consider taking public transportation, a taxi, Uber, walk, or carpool with others.

We also remind you to drink responsibly if you do choose to drive. In the event that you do need to drive, please allow ample time to locate parking.

The time on your ticket is when boarding begins. Boarding will last for 45 minutes. The boat will leave the dock around 1 hour after boarding starts.

For example: A 7pm cruise will start boarding at 7pm, finish boarding at 7:45pm, and set sail by 8pm. 

It is crucial to arrive on time as departure times are strictly adhered to. Latecomers will not be accommodated, so don’t be late!

You can find the boarding time details for each event on the event description page, so make sure to check it out. However, the specific timing of your event may differ, so please be sure to double-check.

To access the boat, parking is available at Rafters’ Landing.  You will then walk north along the City Park path, then down an inclined paved trail. If you look up above the trees, you’ll see four flags in the air. That’s where the boat is!

You don’t need to print your ticket, as we can check you in from your mobile device. However, if you prefer to have a printed ticket, we’ll accept that as well.

Yes – the boat is wheelchair accessible. We do have a wheelchair lift that provides access to the lower deck, but it is restricted to walkers and non-motorized wheelchairs only. As of July 2024, the chairlift is broken. We are working diligently to get it fixed, but in the mean time we’re happy to assist passengers get to the lower decks. There is also a wheelchair accessible washroom on the lower deck.

Please be aware that guests will need to travel approximately 200 meters North from the parking lot to reach the boat. There is also a relatively steep slope from the parking lot to the dock, or a set of stairs located east from the incline. Accessing the boat via the gangway involves an incline up and then an incline down.

We do not provide transportation from the parking lot to the boat at this time.

Yes – there are men’s and women’s washroom on the top deck, as well as a wheelchair accessible washroom on the lower deck. 

Yes – we have tables and chairs inside the lower deck and on the top deck. Tables and chairs are first come, first serve.

If you’d like to reserve some seating for a larger group/event, please let us know when you book and we can do our best to accomodate!

We take the safety and comfort of our guests seriously, and to ensure a healthy environment for all, smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited on the boat. This policy is in place to comply with local regulations and to maintain a clean and pleasant atmosphere for all our visitors.

We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to this policy and helping us to create a welcoming environment for all.

Yes – there is space to leave them on the side of the deck. But since deck space is limited, please consider other transport options for your cruise. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any strollers or wagons left unattended on deck.

We sail in the rain and sun, so it’s best to dress for the weather. We suggest wearing flat comfortable shoes that won’t slide off your feet. 

It can also get cold during the evening on the water, so bring a sweater or light jacket for an evening cruise.

Service animals are welcome onboard. Otherwise, please leave your pets at home to ensure everyone has a comfortable experience.

Yes. We have two bars on board that sell various drinks and snacks. We also have a BBQ that will sell burgers during the cruise. 

For more details about our offerings, please visit our FOOD & BEVERAGE page.

No, we don’t allow outside food or drinks. 

However, if there’s a special occasion and you wish to bring a cake we can make an exception to this policy. We will gladly store the cake until you are ready and provide the appropriate dishes for service.

Please inform us in advance by including a note in your online ticket purchase or replying to your reservation email.

Although we value and respect various dietary choices and restrictions, please note that our kitchen is limited in size and resources. Nonetheless, we strive to provide a diverse selection of food items to accommodate a few of the most common dietary needs, including vegetarian and gluten-friendly (not suitable for celiac sufferers) options.

For more details about our offerings, please visit our FOOD & BEVERAGE page.

And we have answers! Please send them to us on our “Contact” page!

Parking Information

We’re located in the River Valley of Henrietta Muir Edwards Park. 

To access the boat, you can park at Rafters Landing and walk through the park. Use this link for the GPS location of the parking lot. There is additional parking at the Henrietta Muir Edwards Park parking lot, just east of Rafters Landing near the new LRT bridge.

Please note that these are public parking lots operated by the City of Edmonton and we do not have any control over parking availability. Be aware that if you are on an afternoon or evening cruise, the parking lot will be very full until our morning cruise arrives back at the dock and the passengers disembark. Please ensure you leave enough time to find parking. Do not park on any grassy areas as the City of Edmonton will ticket you.

There is the Muttart Conservatory parking lot south of 98 Ave on 96A St, however please note that you must register your vehicle to park there. There is also street parking along 96A Street and 98A Ave, north of 98 Ave. Click here for directions.

We recommend using other modes of transport whenever possible (public transportation, car pool, Uber, Bird or Lime, taxi, etc.). 

Once you are parked, there will be signage directing you to walk north along a city park path down an inclined paved trail to the boat where there will be an option to take stairs or a paved trail to the boarding area.